|
|
|
Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/13/2009 11:47:05 AM
Posts: 6,
Visits: 11
|
|
Hi there!
I began today as the teacher of 9 delightful 9 and 10 year olds in a church that is new to our family. As has become the tradition in our society I never saw one parent before or after the class, but I know they were there. I don't want to be a stranger to them, but more importantly I don't want them to be strangers to one another. I know that their church experience will be more meaningful if we can build the community of faith from a multitude of angles. So,how can I utilize my "little" job as Sunday School teacher to reach the parents and build the community of my 9 chickadees in a way that is "painless" and meaningful! Ideas that come to mind - are to introduce myself through an e-mail, or to invite everyone over for ice cream on a Sunday afternoon. Any thoughts?
With Joy!
Florence
|
|
|
|
|
Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/5/2009 1:41:00 AM
Posts: 11,
Visits: 48
|
|
| Hi Florence! I am in the same boat. At our new church, I started a new Sunday school class for preteens. We are using GRAPPLE, which I really like. Initially, I sent a letter to the children and their parents announcing our new class and to introduce them to Grapple. Every week, I send home the "Weekly Grapple Connection" for the parents, so they know what their child learned about on Sunday and connect with them at home during the week. I really need to put forth more effort to connect with the parents on a personal level; afterall, we really are partners in the spiritual development of their child. I believe getting together with the parents and children in a social setting such as a gathering for ice cream sounds like a great idea! God bless your ministry...
Mary
Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Expert
Group: Moderators
Last Login: Yesterday @ 3:20:52 PM
Posts: 521,
Visits: 1,685
|
|
Hi Florence,
You are onto something great!
Partnering with the parents is key with this age level. The kids may act like they are pushing away from Mom & Dad, but I know what they really want is play time/down time with their parents. Mom & Dad are expected to spend so much time policing their children's lives - supervising homework, internet time or bedtimes that time to simply enjoy each other gets overlooked.
Our best events have included the parents. We honored Dads at a Father's Day Pool party and wondered if anyone would attend because it was Father's Day. Most all families attended and it was clear that our 9-10 year olds were most excited that Dad was coming to the pool than they were about being together.
We are inviting our families to tag along to a few other events that will stimulate parent/child interaction. A Sunday afternoon trip to the Museum exhibit on Dead Sea Scrolls in Nov. and Tubing down a river at the end of the summer.
We get built in chaperones as a bonus. The families get to build family memorable moments. Our leaders get time to interact and get to know the parents and share all the awesome things their children are doing in their Grapple Bible Study. The parents get to build a network of support by bonding with other parents. And most of all the kids get the quality time with their parents that they crave as well as the time with peers they need to build their own support networks for their teen years.
So keep planning those family events as well as time with just the students and watch your families grow strong in their faith!
Lisa B from NC
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/26/2009 1:02:51 PM
Posts: 2,
Visits: 5
|
|
I have found email to be a wonderful bridge and starting point as well as our kids zone blog for parents. I send out thoughts about parenting and our role as the church to partner and not replace the parents. I get wonderful thought-filled responses and have found that if I attend things that the moms go to (being a woman and a mom), this helps too. For example, next weekend, I am going to the women's retreat. On Monday mornings I drop in to our moms and tots playgroup to mingle with moms. They always thank me for coming and I get to hear how they are doing in order to pray for them.
When we don't have volunteer leaders for our kids church, I rotate parents in who are happy to help and this gives them a glimpse into what happens here on Sunday mornings. I let them know that we are in the process of finding a leader so their kids won't miss out. "In the meantime, let us know if you prefer to step in as a parent or if you'd rather have your child sit with you in church." I do it lovingly and they run to step in. Then they know to pray for a teacher for their child in the meantime too.
As much as I can, I bridge the gaps everywhere. I have invited our seniors to adopt cl in prayer and they- from time to time - come to pray for the kids in the cl. I then let parents know that we have seniors praying for their children- who often get birthday cards in the mail from the seniors. I have emailed parents when there is a prayer request for their child's teacher that is not confidential such as knee surgery.
I involve the parents in decision making such as what they'd like to see for VBS in the summer - a theme camp or a sports camp, etc.
So, bottom line is I involve the parents in most everything. I have a kids ministry planning team and invite special guest parents from time to time to see a glimpse of behind the scenes and to offer input from their perspective.
Those are some of the things we've done.
Blessings,
Merri Ellen
www.RossRoadKids.com
merri ellen
"helping kids find and follow Jesus"
|
|
|
|